Make Stamp and Read Books: Teach High-Frequency
“Heart” Words Kinesthetically and Differentiate Learning
Provide Active, Motivating Word
Work: Make “Stamp and Read
Skinny Books”!
Develop one-to-one correspondence
between the spoken and printed word.
• Engage the kinesthetic learner.
• Help children effortlessly learn important
high-frequency words.
•
TEACHING TIP
Have blank, four- to six-page “Skinny”
construction paper books available in the
literacy center. Invite the children to use word
and animal stamps (or stamps of any familiar
object) to build a book with one consistent
high-frequency sentence patterns such as:
“This is a _____.” or “I see the______.”
Children can stamp the last page of
“Stamp and Read Skinny Books” provide an
each book with “I can read. Listen
engaging way to teach the concept of how
to me.” Encourage children to
words work while simultaneously building
remember their spelling chant and
reading skills. Children can kinesthetically
write “t-h-e e-n-d”… “the end.”
feel each word as they stamp it. “Skinny
Books” are mass prepared by parents—easily
constructed of four sheets of paper cut into strips and stapled together, with or without a cover.
I
see
the
The limited number of word stamps (I, see, the…/ This, is, a…) and the thin design of the
book pages support the child in creating one sentence on each length of paper. Stamping
naturally leaves a space between individual words so that children can more clearly see the
visual uniqueness of each high-frequency word. Children add an animal stamp or their own
drawing (some children will also print the word) to finish each sentence. Young children take
pride in these books, which they can read on their own, share with a friend, or read to the class;
each time building stronger reading fluency and sight word recognition. Children proudly take
their personally-created stamping books home. They can successfully read “Skinny Books”
featuring repetitive language patterns, which they have completed in their own unique way.
Provide for Differentiated Literacy Experiences: Stamp and Read Word Work!
Challenge more experienced learners to write on the cover page, “My Book….by ______”, the
name of the animal stamped on each page and “the end” page with or without a written model at
the Literacy Center. Soon, some children will be able to write the sentence as efficiently as they
can stamp it. Meaningful repetition builds fluency with high-frequency words.